Careful of your painkillers, it might just kill your positivity

A new study finds Acetaminophen/Tylenol/Paracetemol could just kill positive emotions. The painkiller could blunt both physical and psychological pain. This is the first time one tries to test the popular painkiller’s effect on both negative and positive emotions.

Paracetemol is a common over-the-counter drug, readily accessible to most. However, it is not just a pain reliever, it could be seen as an all-purpose emotion reliever. Participants were tested by taking dose of 1000mg of acetaminophen (which is the same drug). The rest were given an inactive placebo.

After waiting for an hour for the drug’s effects to kick in. Participants were shown photos that were designed to elicit various positive and negative emotions.

Results show that those who took acetaminophen did not feel the same highs or lows as compared to those who took placebos. Thus, blunting both positive and negative emotions. Yet, the participants who took the drug, did not feel that they are reacting any differently. Hence, most people might not be aware of how their emotions are impacted.

Currently, it is unknown if other pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen could have the same effect.